I recently started experiencing severe packet loss and latency in every online game. Before this began, I consistently had low ping and no packet loss, but since one Monday I've been lagging badly and sometimes losing more than 5,000 packets in a single match. I've already replaced my router, fiber jack, Ethernet cables, and motherboard, and I even upgraded my internet plan. What should I test next to determine whether the problem is on my network, computer, or internet provider's side?
2 Answers
Since the local router connection appears stable while packets are being lost to an outside server, this points more toward the fiber connection, modem or fiber jack path, or the provider’s network than the motherboard or Ethernet cable. Run a continuous ping or traceroute during the problem and provide the results to your internet provider so they can check signal levels, line errors, and upstream routing.
Test whether the problem affects just your desktop or every device on the connection. When the issue happens, ping your router’s local IP and an outside address such as 8.8.8.8 at the same time. If the router ping is clean but the external ping drops packets, the problem is likely beyond your home network and your provider should investigate it. If both pings fail, focus on your computer, Ethernet connection, or local network equipment.
I tested both. The ping to my router stayed stable, but I still saw packet loss when pinging Google’s DNS server.